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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMAVERICKS, TheCountry-rock quartet from Miami that blended traditional honky-tonk country with '50s rock'n'roll feel. Lead singer Raul Malo (b 7 Aug. '65, Miami) was born of Cuban parents who relocated to Miami '59; bassist Robert Reynolds (b 30 April '62, Kansas City MO) was an avid record collector of mainly older country music styles; drummer Paul Deakin (b 2 Sept. '59, Miami) earned BA in music at the U of Miami; lead guitarist Nick Kane (b 21 Aug. '54, Jerusalem GA) replaced original lead guitarist David Lee Holt who left after the band completed their first album. Malo grew up listening to '50s country and Elvis Presley, played in various bands in high school which did not share his enthusiasms; he met Reynolds, who had played in a band doing covers of '50s rock'n'roll, and Reynolds introduced his best friend Deakin who had played in rock, punk and funk bands. The trio performed in Miami rock clubs as the Mavericks, made a self-financed album '90 and had some tracks played on local radio KISS-FM. A tape found its way to MCA Nashville; they went there for a showcase '91, got a record deal and recruited Holt, who'd been raised in Texas, played with Joe Ely, Rosie Flores and Carlene Carter. From Hell To Paradise featured newly-recorded versions of songs from their independent album, mainly written by Malo and reflecting a strong social conscience, but it didn't sell well. They built up a reputation for rockin' live shows, based in Nashville; Malo co-wrote with songwriting genius Kostas and Don Cook was brought in to prod. What A Crying Shame, the best Nashville-produced album of '94. They broke through to country radio with title song and 'O What A Thrill', the album went platinum and they were named CMA Group of the Year '95--6. Reynolds married Trisha Yearwood '95; Malo sang backup on several prominent Nashville sessions and duetted with Yearwood. Music For All Occasions was what the band called 'lounge country' -- a mixture of diverse influences from Roy Orbison through Ray Conniff, Patsy Cline and Buck Owens. After a year apart they made their best yet, Trampoline '97, a genre record that transcends its origins. They've shredded the rulebook; you can never be sure what the Mavericks will do next, but it will be fun. |